VZCZCXYZ0003
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHBU #0516 1122024
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 212024Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0835
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000516
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KJUS PHUM KDEM IACHR AR
SUBJECT: FORMER ARGENTINE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SEEKING USG
SUPPORT IN IACHR CASE AGAINST GOA
REF: (A) DRUCKER-WAYNE 3/28 E-MAIL (B) BUENOS AIRES
0315
1. (SBU) Polcouns tracked down former Argentine Supreme Court
President Antonio Boggiano in Rome and delivered
telephonically all of the points provided ref A. Polcouns
noted the U.S. strongly supports the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the strong sense of
integrity and independence which has historically
characterized its work. This experience has greatly assisted
the IACHR in forcefully protecting fundamental freedoms
throughout our hemisphere, notably in the Southern Cone.
Polcouns stressed the importance we place on preserving the
autonomy of the IACHR and explained the reasons for not
bringing USG interest to bear upon the IACHR in its case
processing and admissibility/merits reviews.
2. (SBU) Boggiano noted that the above tracked closely with
what Polcouns had told him (ref B) in their initial meeting,
but he was pleased to hear this time of efforts to support
more broadly the IACHR's institutional capacity to fully
process cases in a reasonable timeframe. He was particularly
pleased to hear that IACHR staff had informally indicated to
us that his petition is currently undergoing a thorough
review, and a decision could be forthcoming within a month.
He thanked Polcouns for consulting with the Department and
USOAS and said he appreciates the U.S. position supporting
the autonomy and independence of the IACHR.
WAYNE